Crowdsourced BMW Prototypes Light the Street, Call for Help

Participants in the BMW Urban Driving Experience Challenge had one incredibly vague goal: transform a BMW or Mini into a “socially responsible machine that contributes to our global well-being.” First place received $7,500 and a trip to Munich, Germany for an audience with the managing director of BMW Group’s director of research and technology.

The contest was run by Local Motors, a crowdsourced vehicle design firm that produces small batches of nutty, brilliant and – occasionally – consumer-built automobiles. Almost anyone with an itch to design a vehicle can send something in, and the design house’s community of participants is 30,000-plus strong.

For this particular contest, three finalists emerged. Here’s what they came up with, from third to first place.

Image: Local Motors

“The Lifeboat,” Third Place

James Lin (USA) describes his i8-inspired creation by saying, “in a disaster, everyone – no matter their social stature – are equally poor in the basics of urban life: shelter, power, communications, food, water.” His 2025 model will provide emergency electricity, pop out into a shelter, and function as a Wi-Fi hub for emergency communications.

Photo: Local Motors

“BMW Connected Park,” Second Place

Xavier Gordillo of Spain made a BMW that would communicate with other vehicles, forming an interconnected network – similar to systems being developed in both Detroit and Germany.

A woman loses track of her child, and she can approach any parked vehicle to explain the emergency. Cameras in other cars activate to spot the missing rugrat, then connected arrows point the mother in the right direction. Or, if a pedestrian is about to step into the path of a vehicle, a nearby parked car can spot him and notify the oncoming driver. But the most compelling feature: The system helps you find parking spaces.

Photo: Local Motors

“BMW Light My Way,” First Place

Cosmin Mandita of Romania came up with a simple idea that would cut down on energy consumption of street lights.

According to Mandita, “My idea is, what if we keep lamp posts just in important places, and for the rest, the cars can light the street when parked, instead of 10 posts we will have 4, energy consumption is down with 60% [sic].” When a pedestrian gets near one of these connected BMWs, a proximity sensor recognizes the walker and activates a light. Besides cutting down on energy use by requiring fewer street lights, the concept would make it so you’ll never step out of your car and into a hidden puddle.